Merlin's Travels (An Untimely Error Book 2)

by Tom Larcombe

  {We aren't matching our spells well enough, the power isn't flowing smoothly.} he sent.

  {But it is flowing. We're close.} she replied.

  They tried to adjust their spells to match better but as they got closer the pulses of power became stronger, nearly tearing the spells apart.

  Tainted mated, two as one, Merlin thought. I hope the prophecy is right.

  {This isn't working. Do you trust me?} he asked.

  {Implicitly.} came the reply.

  {You'll do the manipulation, I'll provide the power. We need to merge. Tainted mated, two as one. Remember the prophecy?}

  {Are you sure? And you'll leave me in control?}

  A strong pulse of magic shredded Merlin's hold on the spell forms he was routing the energy through.

  {I'm sure. Ready? You need do nothing but manipulate the power, I'll do the joining.}

  Merlin felt Nimue's acceptance and sent his full awareness out from his body. His body would be defenseless for the duration unless someone else chose to protect him from danger. He sent his awareness into Nimue. He reached for her mind, involuntarily, before drawing himself back.

  None of that, he thought. I'm here to support, not to control. She's better than I am with the technical skills.

  Nimue's thoughts were as much a part of him as he was of her. She heard his comment in her own mind.

  Thank you Merlin, she thought. For going against your instinct and for the compliment. I want to be close to you for the rest of our lives but this might be a bit much. So now we need to get to work.

  Merlin watched as Nimue controlled more power than most wizards would ever see in their extended lifetime. He helped where he was needed, providing power to her and smoothing out the flows when they became rough. It was both an eternity and several minutes before everything was under control. During that time, all thoughts and memories of each were experienced by both of them.

  Merlin heard someone trying to talk to his mind. It sounded distant, like a man yelling to make himself heard, and only the echos reaching the intended target. He shifted part of his focus to the communication.

  {Merlin, the portal is opening. Do you want me to go through and bring them out?} Anguis asked.

  {Yes, do that as quickly as you can.} Merlin/Nimue answered.

  {Why do I hear both you and Nimue?}

  {We're one. We needed to be this way to control the portal. Please, be as quick as you can.}

  Anguis' mental voice was tinged with uncertainty and confusion. But his answer told them he'd deal with it later.

  {On my way.}

  Merlin found himself trapped in his memories of Nimue. Only this time he was experiencing them from her point of view. He wasn't sure, but he thought Nimue was having the same problem.

  I hope Anguis is quick, he/she thought, we're merging more than intended.

  Merlin wasn't sure if the thought originated with him or with Nimue, but he agreed with the sentiment.

  A hand on Merlin's back drew his attention. He looked, with Nimue's eyes, and saw Gunter standing there, his hand on Merlin's back. Verruckt spoke.

  “Don't break their focus. I don't know what would happen. I didn't even think it was possible to do what they're doing. Guide him, slowly and gently, towards the portal. I'll guide Nimue. They absolutely must stay in contact with one another. But I think being closer to the portal will strain them less, and allow them to separate one from the other again.”

  Merlin tried to think of how Verruckt would know what they were doing. Then he remembered that Nimue's body had spoken to Verruckt a short while back. Merlin had helped form the words. Perhaps he'd used her body to speak some of them as well. He wasn't quite sure.

  Merlin/Nimue allowed him/herself to be guided towards the portal. They were in position to see, with both sets of eyes, the first of the dragons passing through. A giant red, nearly as large as Ave, glistening and glimmering with the magic that transported it.

  The dragon's eyes snapped towards Merlin and Nimue. They grew wide and the creature came in for a gentle landing directly in front of them.

  “Are you the tainted mated that Praesagium spoke of all those years ago?” the dragon asked in a language Merlin hadn't spoken in thirteen hundred years.

  Merlin/Nimue prepared to answer but were cut off by a voice from the scales they held.

  “They are, and they put themselves in great danger to save you. They are two as one, they risk losing their individual selves and becoming a single creature. You must anchor the portal Primicerius, that they may return to their own selves.”

  “Praesagium?”

  “It is I. I speak through these portions of myself they hold. I enchanted them so I would be aware when the holders began working with the portal. They are the Tainted Mated and you must aid them or they will lose themselves in the process of saving our people.”

  Primicerius looked at Merlin and Nimue again.

  “Pass the portal anchors to me,” he said.

  Two hands, on different bodies, reached out in eerie unison. The scales were presented to Primicerius. He shimmered and shifted to the shape of a human, a very large one standing over seven feet tall. His massive hands reached out and wrapped around the two scales. He pulled them from the hands that presented them, gently for all his size.

  Despite the gentle transfer Merlin/Nimue's mind was buffeted. The power that sustained them left with the scales. They panicked, each mind reinforcing the fears of the other. Merlin/Nimue couldn't determine which mind went where, which body should house which mind, or anything else.

  Verruckt's voice roared,

  “Just do it, Gunter!”

  A moment later Merlin's mind was drawn to a body as pain stabbed at its jaw. He felt the body pulled hard and he tumbled to the ground. His mind reached for the comfort of Nimue's but it wasn't there. Anguish stabbed him worse than any knife could. He was alone in this body.

  I hope I'm in the right one, he thought.

  That was his last coherent thought for some time. Things became hazy and colorful. The dragons flying through the air formed streaks of color that lingered forever. Voices finally penetrated his delusions.

  “Is that the last of them? This portal is hard to maintain.”

  “I think that was the last, do you want me to go check?”

  “Do that, we'll close it shortly.”

  Merlin recognized one of the voices as belonging to Anguis.

  “Anguis, wait,” he called feebly.

  “Merlin? Are you yourself again?” Anguis asked.

  “Mostly. Are you returning to the other side of the portal?”

  “Yes. I need to make sure all of the dragons are out.”

  “Take the draining knife. Leave it on the other side. I doubt that anyone will open a portal to that dimension again, and we'll be well rid of it. Careful not to touch the blade, and keep the sun crystal with it.”

  “Yes Merlin,” Anguis said.

  Now that the duty which had dragged him out of his delusion was discharged, Merlin felt himself returning to a state where everything was fascinating. He watched the streaks of silver and blue Anguis made when he flew away. They lingered in the air for a while, crossed by other streaks of color. Then he stared at the sky as it slowly darkened, the pinks and reds in the sunset unlike any he could remember seeing.

  Throughout it all, he felt Nimue pressed against him. Even with as close as she was he felt that the distance between them was enormous. He was sure she felt the same.

  * * *

  Chapter 24

  Merlin woke the following morning.

  Every muscle in my body feels as though it's been tied in knots, he thought. And the way my head throbs makes the headache from learning a language feel like stubbing a toe.

  Opening his eyes to the brightening day made him feel like someone was stabbing his brain with a dull knife. He persisted though, and when he could finally see he thought he was hallucinating again.

  “Why does the hill look a patc
hwork quilt?” he wondered aloud.

  Merlin heard movement behind him. When he tried to turn his head to check on it, his neck refused to co-operate. The quick turn he'd planned became a slow battle as he forced his muscles to obey. Before he could see what caused the movement, an excited voice spoke.

  “That's not a sight you see every day,” Verruckt said. “Probably not one you'll see ever again after this occasion either. Nearly every dragon we released has claimed a portion of the hill, spread their wings, and is drinking in the sun.”

  “Verruckt, I'm glad to see that you made it through. How are Nimue and Gunter?” Merlin asked.

  “Gunter keeps getting caught off-guard by his missing finger but otherwise he's fine. Nimue is still asleep, she occasionally shifts or murmurs so we're not worried yet.”

  “We?”

  “That big guy? The big dragon that turned into the massive human? He's been keeping an eye on the two of you. He looks a bit run down himself but he's still going. He's checked on you several times and has been speaking to the dragons the rest of the time. They were having some sort of squabble amongst themselves and he put a stop to it.”

  “What were they arguing about?”

  “Damned if I know, they were speaking their own language. I can't tell the difference between dragon speech and a thunderstorm to save my life. At least he used some sort of spell to learn English so he could talk to me. I couldn't understand a word he was saying at first.”

  “Loud are they?”

  “They can be, and were.”

  Merlin shifted, trying to stand. The world refused to hold still for him though and he nearly fell before Verruckt took his arm to support him.

  “I need something to eat,” Merlin said,” and something to drink also, but I suppose water will have to do.”

  “I've got some stew over the fire. The big guy warned me you'd be starving when you woke.”

  Verruckt guided Merlin over to a fire. There were several logs and boulders scattered around it to sit on. Merlin sat while Verruckt got him a bowl of stew.

  “You're right about water being the only thing to drink though. Soon as we can, we need to work our way to the dregs of a cask of ale. I think we've earned it.”

  Merlin would've agreed with him but he was too busy shoveling the stew into his mouth as quickly as he could. He finished the stew and held the empty bowl out to Verruckt.

  “Might I have some more please?” he asked.

  Verruckt refilled the bowl and handed it back to Merlin. The second bowl went more slowly. When Merlin was half done with his second bowl, Primicerius sat down on a rock beside him.

  “So, you're awake. I wondered how long it would be.” Primicerius said.

  “Softly, please.” Merlin replied.

  The reply came in a much quieter voice.

  “My apologies. I've not experienced a headache from overuse of magic in a very long time. But I still recall them from long ago and do not look forward to experiencing them again.”

  “Verruckt said that you were keeping an eye on Nimue? How is she?” Merlin asked.

  “She is less powerful than you, yes?”

  Merlin nodded.

  “Then she will take longer to wake. Her system is draining the overload of magic that plagued it. When the load is down to the level of power she can normally handle, she will waken.”

  Merlin scraped the bottom of the bowl to get the last bits of stew.

  “More?” Verruckt asked.

  “I'd love to, but I fear I'd burst if I tried. I think perhaps some walking now. My muscles feel as though they're made of stone, I need to loosen them up,” Merlin said.

  “I shall walk with you. Let us walk and we will discuss matters,” Primicerius said.

  Merlin stood in stages, convincing his muscles to do as he told them. His first steps were faltering but after a minute or so his legs began to loosen up.

  “So, you have rescued us. Why did you do so?” Primicerius asked.

  “Do you want the whole story or the short answer?” Merlin replied.

  “Short will do for now, although I should like to hear the whole story at some point.”

  “The people I have chosen to call my own are locked in battle with another people. These other people have been given support by Ave. This has put our enemies at an advantage over us and we thought that you would be our natural allies. Also, it was the right thing to do. Finally, Praesagium convinced me that a prophecy he knew referred to Nimue and myself. The prophecy, as he interpreted it, dealt with us releasing the dragons from their imprisonment.”

  “Praesagium's interpretations of prophecy change like the wind. They mean one thing at one moment and an entirely different one the next.”

  Merlin tugged at his bare chin.

  “I feel much the same way about any divination, yet he was convincing enough for me,” Merlin said.

  “It was fortunate for us, this I will say. Tell me of these people that are your enemies.”

  “First, I'll tell you that I think Ave had a hand in beginning this war. I have a suspicion that she's had a hand in many of the wars that have plagued my race on this continent.”

  Merlin frowned and concentrated for a moment.

  “More accurately, I think it was Nimue who believes that, but it seems that I have some of her memories still.”

  “You might at that. It was a foolish thing you did. Merging your mind with another wizard's is a hazard full of risks. If that is the worse that occurs from doing so, count yourself lucky.”

  Merlin spent the next hour detailing what he knew first hand of the war. He also relayed information he was given by people he trusted regarding the Germans. He then detailed those things he attributed to Ave, and why he did so. By the time he was done Primicerius was frowning and fuming.

  “I would say you are correct. To my shame, I may not take direct action against Ave, nor can any of those who were imprisoned with me. We all gave up a part of our power so that Ave could create the alleged sanctuary she imprisoned us in. One time when she visited us, she taunted us that we could never take an aggressive action against her again since she had our power and would turn the act against the wielder.”

  “You believed her?” Merlin asked.

  “I didn't, nor did several others. One attempted to attack her, despite the risk of stranding us forever in our prison. His attack was, as she said, turned back against him. He was devoured by his own magic and lost to us. After that I believed her, and I would not risk any of mine in an attack against her.”

  “There are other things you might do to aid us. Would, perchance, your magics allow you to disguise yourselves?”

  Primiceruis frowned again.

  “They would, but I would not skulk about under a disguise in order to fight a battle.”

  “You misunderstand. Many of the engagements in this war are fought by flying machines which drop explosives on strategic enemy targets. They call these machines airplanes. I was wondering if dragons might be able to disguise themselves as these machines and fly sorties against those who fly the enemy airplanes. Or perhaps carry some of the larger bombs that limit an airplane's range due to their weight. I'm sure a dragon would not have the same limitations.”

  “This is not quite skulking, but I'm unsure how I feel about it. It would not be honorable to attack an enemy who didn't know my true nature.”

  “These same enemies have bombed areas that contain only civilians. They hurl death spirits across a large channel of water that separates the countries, against soldiers who know nothing of magic. Unfortunately, honor is not what it once was. Since I awakened in this time I have decided that honor is defending those who cannot defend themselves, either through lack of magical skill, or lack of being trained to fight.”

  “I will observe and make my own decision. If, however, things are as you describe I will encourage any of the dragons who wish to aid you to do so,” Primicerius said.

  “There is one way you may assist us tha
t will involve no fighting except possibly self-defense.” Merlin said.

  “What would that be?”

  “We need to return to our own country. Where we are located now is in the heart of the German territories. We came here only to free you and would return home if we may. If some of your people could escort us, I'm sure our safety would be increased.”

  “I can do better than that. We owe you a debt of honor. I, and some of my larger brethren, will carry you to your homeland through the air. This should be quicker and safer than any journey across land.”

  “We would be honored for such assistance. I do ask that you speak with Anguis about something called anti-aircraft fire first, though. It may be that you will wish to avoid flying over cities or military fortifications.”

  “I will do so. What is that creature? He is near to being a dragon and yet not one.”

  “Anguis is my friend. He was created by Nimue and enhanced by Praesagium...”

  Merlin told Anguis's tale to Primicerius. The story took up the rest of their walk. When they returned to the camp, Merlin found Nimue stirring. He dashed to her side, disregarding any insult Primicerius might feel from being deserted in such a fashion. He took Nimue's hand and stayed as close to her as he could while she woke.

  * * *

  Merlin escorted Nimue to the fire where he served her stew. She ate heartily but he could feel that something consumed her mind, leaving her preoccupied. When she was done eating and her headache was fading away, she looked at Merlin and blushed furiously.

  “Is something wrong?” Merlin asked.

  “No,” Nimue said, “I was just experiencing a few wayward memories. They were yours, regarding me. I was embarrassed over feeling a rush of lust for myself.”

  He grinned.

  “You'll never again have to ask me if I find you desirable then. Now you know.”

  She blushed again and broke eye contact.

  Taking Nimue's hand in his own, Merlin looked for Primicerius. The massive dragon was still nearby in human form. He was watching Merlin and Nimue.

  “Primicerius, allow me to present my wife, Nimue. Nimue, this is Primicerius. You can guess from his name that he speaks for those dragons present here.”